HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The youth services program at Christian County High School received a $1,000 donation from the Southwestern Kentucky Economic Development Council to help forward their efforts to keep students fed while they are not in school.

Representatives with the Family Resource and Youth Services Center (FRYSC) for Chrisitan County High School accepted the check during the Sept. 28 SWK EDC meeting. The goal of their program is to work with students to remove non-academic barriers from their life in order to allow them to better focus on being a successful student.

Executive Director Carter Hendricks explained that the SWK EDC had a client take a tour of the new CCHS campus, which left them “blown away” by the staff and experience. This contribution was made as a result of the tour on behalf of that client to Christian County Public Schools.

Growth of weekend Backpack Program, funding will help feed 75 students

Shawna Major said that since the high schools consolidated, the Pyle Westerman Youth Service Center at CCHS is serving double the number of kids that she is used to, with double the need. Since the start of the school year, she has settled into the new campus, which was an adjustment since she spent seven years working out of the former CCHS, “This is definitely starting to feel like home.”

Prior to the donation they had just started their Backpack Program for the school year, which is done in partnership with Feeding America to provide take home meals on weekends. The first week of the program they had six students participate, and now they have 75.

Due to this sudden growth, youth services staff ended up having to make an extra trip to the store to ensure they had enough food for students. She said this funding is just in time for fall break, where more meals will be provided to feed students throughout the week.

“This $1,000 that we received is definitely appreciated…it really did come at a great time because just Friday we spent close to $300 and that was just for 20 kids,” Major said.

Flyers are sent out to students throughout the year about the program for those who need to participate, and staff also help identify those who will benefit. FRYSC programs are not limited to CCHS, with representatives at each Christian County Public School to help support students.

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